Your children may come to school in their pajamas for the half day tomorrow. If desired, they can also bring in a PTA donation to help fund events like January's assembly--Anansegromma of Ghana, who will share traditional West African music, storytelling, and dance with our kids.PTA News ​ ​

Holiday Shoppe

Holiday Shoppe has been in full swing this week. We hope your little shoppers have come home excited about their finds.Swing by today from 4:15-5:15 for Parent Shoppe. Parents and staff are welcome to shop for inexpensive gifts during this time. You can also give the gift of Westowne pride this year: we'll have spirit wear available for purchase.Many, many thanks to Katie McNight, our Holiday Shoppe coordinator. She has worked for months to stock the shelves and has run the show. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the steady stream of volunteers who have made this a Holiday Shoppe to remember. On behalf of the PTA board and a load of happy shoppers, we appreciate you all!Cookies & CardsIt's time to share your favorite holiday treats and spread some cheer for Westowne's teachers and staff. On Monday, December 15th and 22nd, bring homemade baked goods. Drop off donations by 10:00 those mornings so we can set them up in the lounge. Sign up for baked goods to help us bring in enough quantity and variety. Not a baker? That's okay. Send in holiday cards for the teachers and staff from your families to help us decorate the teachers' lounge. Cards can be sent in your children's folders in envelopes addressed to the PTA.While you're at it, also consider giving cookies and cards to your bus drivers and our ever present crossing guard, Ms. Bev. Teachers' Educational Supplies FundSupport the effort to reimburse every teacher at Westowne $50 for their out of pocket school expenses by contributing to the Teachers' Educational Supplies Fund. Your tax deductible donations to the PTA can go even further right now. A parent-owned company has offered to match up to $2000 in donations made by the end of the year. Support our teachers and stretch your contribution further by sending a donation in your child's folder. Let us know if we can answer any question about this opportunity. Jingle Bell RunOur team of 99 runners completed the Jingle Bell Run and supported the Arthritis Foundation last weekend. Keep an eye out for the "Largest Team" plaque to be hung at school soon. And congratulations to 4th grader Keely--the race winner for her age group!Box TopsBox Tops donations for this year have exceeded $630! Keep on clipping. Also try your luck at winning the Holiday sweepstakes for 1000 bonus Box Tops. You can enter daily and will need our school ID (145747). And congratulations to Steffanie from Mrs. Mannion's second grade class! She won the Grilled Cheese & Co. gift card for turning in her Box Tops form.

School News

Mitten Tree

Please turn in wrapped gifts with their mitten labels this week so that school staff can assure the items go to the children who requested them. Thank you for supporting Westowne families in need this holiday season!Green Initiatives Blog

Here's the blog from Westowne teachers about what the Green Team is doing. Thanks for helping our kids learn to take care of each other and the earth!

Free Microsoft Office Software

Students, their families, and school staff can access the Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus suite for their personal computers, tablets, iPads, iPhones, and Android devices free of charge. This program helps support the BCPS 1:1 digital conversion initiative known as S.T.A.T.